Free Orange Hats for Oregon Youth Hunters
OutdoorHub 09.21.11
September 20, 2011 Salem, Ore.—Free hunter orange hats will be given to youth hunters that plan to hunt the fall 2011 season, to help kids meet new regulations requiring they wear the color.
Hats will be given away by Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers and ODFW field staff who see youth hunters in the field during hunting season. Hats are also available at select ODFW offices while supplies last (see list of offices below).
Oregon’s new law took effect Aug. 1, 2011. It requires youth hunters (age 17 and under) to wear a fluorescent orange hat or upper garment when hunting game mammals or upland game birds (except turkey) with any firearm.
Game mammals are deer, elk, bear, cougar, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain goat, bighorn sheep and western gray squirrel. Upland game birds are forest grouse (blue and ruffed), chukar/Hungarian (gray) partridge, pheasants, quail (California and mountain) and sage grouse.
Cabela’s, The World’s Foremost Outfitter, which opened its first store in Oregon this year in Springfield, generously donated $10,000 towards the 15,000 hats produced. “Educating our youth about wearing hunter orange from the beginning will not only help decrease the amount of hunting incidents, but it will lay the foundation for safe hunting practices for future generations,” said Bob Fabbri, the Springfield’s store general manager. “Firearm safety and hunting go hand in hand and Cabela’s is happy to help support this effort.”
The Capitol Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association also contributed $500 to the hats. The remaining cost of $12,750 was paid by ODFW’s Hunter Education program, which is funded by a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition.
“We’re excited about Cabela’s being in Oregon,” said ODFW Director Roy Elicker. “We thank Cabela’s and OHA Capitol Chapter for their donation and for being part of the effort to make hunting an even safer experience for Oregon’s kids.”
Adult hunters are also strongly encouraged to wear hunter orange when in the field.
The following ODFW offices will provide hunter orange hats while supplies last. Offices are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except for holidays and furlough days. Some smaller field offices are not staffed at all hours so call before visiting the office.
The hats are intended for youth hunters who plan to hunt the fall 2011 season. Most hunting seasons open in September or October.
- Baker City, 2995 Hughes Road
- Bend, 61374 Parrell Road
- Central Point, 1495 E Gregory Road
- Charleston, 63538 Boat Basin Drive
- Clackamas, 17330 SE Evelyn Street
- Corvallis, 7118 Vandenberg Ave NE
- Enterprise, 65495 Alder Slope Road
- Heppner, 54173 Hwy 74
- Hines, 237 Hwy 20 South
- John Day, 305 N Canyon Blvd
- Klamath Falls, 1850 Miller Island Road
- La Grande, 107 20th Street
- Lakeview, 101 N “D” Street
- Newport, 2040 SE Marine Science Drive
- Ontario, 3814 Clark Blvd
- Pendleton, 73471 Mytinger Lane
- Prineville, 2042 SE Paulina Hwy
- Roseburg, 4192 N Umpqua Hwy
- Salem, 3406 Cherry Ave NE
- Sauvie Island, 18330 NW Sauvie Island Road
- Springfield, 3150 E Main Street
- The Dalles, 3701 W 13th Street
- Tillamook, 4907 Third Street
